Repurposing – Skirt/Leggings
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Seriously, give re-purposing a try…….if you mess it up, you were probably going to throw that old shirt away anyway.
: : : Remember to click on any of the images to enlarge them. : : :
To make this skirt/legging combo, find two different knit tops that are still in good condition but are tucked back in that closet……and you never wear anymore. Go on, start digging. (You can also check out your local thrift shop.)
(and remember, the bigger the shirts, the more fabric you’ll have to work with.)
Every child is going to be a different size. I will show you the shapes that I used and how I constructed this outift……and then you can all experiment. The more you play the whole re-purposing idea, the better you’ll become. First, I cut out a rectangle to use for the top of the leggings……
Then, I cut the sleeves off at an angle. I used the arms as the bottom of the leggings so that I wouldn’t have to hem the bottoms. Saved a lot of time. (Try your shirt sleeves on your little girl’s legs first, to see how well they fit.)
Then sew along the sides of your rectangle…. (If you’ve never sewed with knit before, try sewing on some scraps first. I used a zig-zag stitch so that it would allow for some stretch. But I made my zig-zag pretty narrow and lots of room in between each stitch. Sew on some scraps to try and find the best results with your machine.)
Then cut your rectangle at an angles so that it matches the length of the opening of the leggings.
Then sew along the small bottom section, right between the two angles that you just cut from your rectangle. Then make sure your legging pieces are wrong side out and pin the legs in place. Sew along the openings. (If you click on the picture to enlarge, you can see the size of my zig-zag stitch a little better.)
Turn your leggings right side out.
Now it’s time to construct the skirt. Cut off the bottom of the other skirt, making sure to include enough in the height to make a casing for the elastic. And you can just use the hem of the shirt as the hem for your skirt. Easy. Done.
Then, fold over the top section about an inch and a half to make a casing. Make sure to leave an opening to insert the elastic.
Then, insert your elastic (that you have measured on your little girl) using a safety pin at one end and thread it through. Then sew the opening closed.
Now, turn your skirt right side out and slide your leggings inside…..matching up side seams of the skirt with the side seams of the leggings.
Adjust the leggings to lay about a 1/4 inch above the seam that you made while creating the casing. Make sure to stretch the skirt out fully and then pin into place.
And then sew into place while stretching the skirt all the way out as you sew. The skirt material and the leggings should lay flat as you are sewing. And you may have to stretch the leggings a little more than the skirt material and that’s okay………..knit does a great job stretching.
Then add any sort of flowers or embellishments to the front of your skirt……….
And you’re done.
Don’t you feel useful?
You just made an outfit out of some cast-off shirts.
So cute.
Oh my gosh Ash, what a brilliant idea! I'll have to try this in a couple of years.
I agree how brilliant. I am thinking I can’t wait to do a little garage sale time! What awesome ideas!
I am in awe of your creativity! I just cleaned out closets and have 2 bags to go to the thrift store. I am going through them to take out things to use for cute cute things for my nieces! These will make great gifts for christmas as I only have 4 boys. They don't think leggings are so cute.
YEA! Thanks for your ideas.
I love this – off to search for some long sleeve tops I'm not wearing.
oh my gosh! I think I could handle this! DD loves to wear skirts and dresses but is so active! This will be perfect for preschool!
Fantastic. I was beginning to wonder what I should do with all those extra clothes!!! just brilliant! I am now a follower of your blog. If youd like.. you can follow me and I will Link to all your ideas if and when I use them!
LOVE this!
Ash! Good idea and it turned out so darn cute. Really, I should get a sewing machine. It is just like the jumpers mom made April and I out of Aunt Syd's old pair of bell bottoms. So ingenious you are and it looks like you get it from mom.
I love re-purposing T-shirts! The leggings look so simple! Thanks for the great idea!
If I had a girl, I think I would be trying this RIGHT NOW! I just LOVE the look you created! I think I might just have to make some for my nieces for not, until I get a girl of my own someday.
SO cute. Thanks for sharing!
Oh man, I just dropped off a bunch of clothes to goodwill…wish I'd have some of them now. Very cute!
interesting…could you also just bring the leggings up into the skirt before making the casing and fold both pieces over to make one casing and then add the elastic??? The whole stitching inside looks tricky!
I was also wondering if it would be easier to sew the pants into the skirt before the casing, or even just before adding the elastic somehow.
Also, I heard that you’re supposed to use a ball-point needle when sewing stretchy fabrics, would that be more effective with the knit?
Thanks for a super cute tutorial! It’s time to go through some clothes!
that's a lovely repurpose! very cute! going to search the closet now
SO cute!!
Oh my gosh!! I LOVE this!! Now I wish I Had a little girl to make it for…
… and I STILL wish I had a sewing machine! Any tips on what's the best bang for my limited buck??
Oh my goodness! I love this! Can you show us how to make the flowers on the front of the skirt too? I can't wait to raid my closet for my daughter's new outfit. You're incredible! Thank you!
Now that we live where it's cold, this is going on my list of projects!
This makes me wish I had little girls again. Very cute.
simply amazing.
Wow, I really do love that! I can't wait to try it! Thanks so much!
Kristin
That has to be the best idea I have seen in a long time. Plus if you go to a thrift store you can get the larger or smaller (for those of us who never lost the baby weight – yes I am guilty – ok I am working on that now) sizes for our tots. Such a cute idea! Awesome so that you don't have to finish the bottom edges! You are brilliant!
You are the tutorial queen for a reason!!! LOVE THIS!
I wish I had some doubles of my most favorite shirts, not giving them up YET!
Oh, how darling! What a great, creative idea!
Okay if you haven't already been told, you are a crafting genious! This is such a FABULOSO idea!
wow! I love this
What a fun idea, this is so cute.
We think it is so great that you do this to help people out! You provide such fun ideas and cute unique items! Especially LOVE your booties! Love finding people who share our love and passion for crafting and creating! Keep it up! So cute!
Pepperblossom Decor
i totally want to make this for myself! dude, your daughter is adorable. can you invite me to your family blog so i can gawk at your cute family?
I absolutely adore this!! I only have sons though
I'm completely addicted to refashioning lately and I CAN'T WAIT to try this for my little girl, so clever to attach the leggings to the skirt, I was wondering how they were going to stay up…smarty lady, very very smart. (:
love it! i will definitely give this one a try!
So cute! If I only had a little girl to make that for!
I love this! I can't wait to try it for my little girl. Thank you!!
Love this! I know I have at least two long-sleeve t's in my winter clothes that I can use for this.
You know I had to add this to our link luv roundup today! How could I resist! so adorable!
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2009/08/link-luv-roundup_19.html
Thanks for another great tute!
Oh, my goodness. I just found your blog today and I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing this amazing idea. It's brilliant and adorable!
Once again, BRILLIANT! I love all repurposing projects. I haven't seen one with leggings though!!! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com Thanks.
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!what a brilliant idea its really amazing…
looking so cool thanks for the great idea…
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susana
Low and best rates on Payday Loans
This is such a cute and practical idea! Thanks for the tutorial.
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!what a brilliant idea its really amazing…This will be perfect for preschool!!!!!
thanks for sharing…
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renee
Professional Monitering security systems for Homes, Offices & Appartments
monit-O-ring
This is an amazing idea (and it turned out amazing)!
Oh, I need a girl to sew for this cuttie!
You are insanely brilliant!
this was a brilliant idea! i just made them for my daughter and posted about them here-
vievesscrapbooking.blogspot.com
thanks so much for sharing- i love love love your blog!!
I made it! It was a fun project. I blogged about it here: http://mamabeefromthehive.blogspot.com/2009/09/two-shirt-to-skirt-with-tights.html
I love it when people leave comments on my blog telling me when they made things I blogged about, so I just thought I'd drop by and let you know that I made some of these (just the leggings) for my daughter and I love them! They are so adorable and work great for layering now that it's getting cold and underneath her dresses. Thank you so much! If you want to see my pictures here's the link:
http://notesfromaveryredkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/t-shirts-to-baby-pants.html
Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be making more in the future!
P.S. Of course I added a link to your post so others could try it out too. And when I saw one of my friends this evening she said she had already looked at it and wanted to give it a try! You are so cool! :)
I LOVE THIS!!! I am in a big recycle mood! So this is added to my to do list! When I made one i will post it on my blog and link it..
Thanx for the fine tutorial!
OMG So smart! Can't wait to try it!
i don't know how in the world you came up with that! i love it.
I have been reading your blog for a while now & love all of your ideas. This is a project I've had in mind to make for a little while now & I am finally getting around to it today. Thanks so much for the fun project inspirations. I love all the recycled clothing ideas the most.
Love this one – actually love all your ideas. Very creative. I'm going through the closets now to find some old tshirts!
Thanks so much for sharing!
That is absolutely amazing! I am inspired. I've got to do some for my daughter! I'm going to link this idea to my blog, it's fantastic!
Amy
emiliebean.blogspot.com
These are great! Had never sewn any before, but made this in an hour last night. My daughter absolutely loves them! Thanks for the idea!!!!
Ali
i am making a version of this right now out of an old sweater and knit top for the leggings! thanks for the inspiration! then i am going to make the dress for me out of the knit top with the new 3/4 sleeves! 2 new things from 1!
Love, love, love all of your repurposing ideas, especially this one. Thank you for sharing! I became a big fan of yours.
very cute idea!
You could add sleeves to summer shorts or panties if that might be easier for begininng sewers. I use to add sock tops to pj bottoms to make them longer as my children grew. don’t throw out those ‘holy’socks.
Your great
you are very creative and you are Greatttt. I wish i had a daughter that i can make these for. I make them just in case with my old kiddie clothes
I love this! Thank you so much! It’s so creative! I’m off to make one and I have just the shirts to use!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! I AM A HUGE HUGE HUGE ENVIROMENTAL DORK AND I LOVE ANYTHING WITH RECYCLING!